Disney is bringing their magic to British Columbia! Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada and Disney teamed up at Sunny Hill Health Centre at BC Children’s Hospital to host a joyful patient visit. Disney’s own Mickey Mouse, Starlight Canada’s resident superhero, Captain Starlight, and artists from Walt Disney Animation Studios Vancouver made a special appearance at the event to meet with patients and their families. Additionally, Disney-themed toys and costumes, including wheelchair covers, were distributed to help further brighten and personalize the hospital experience for children facing illness or procedures. The visit was accompanied by a screening of the newly restored Walt Disney Animation Studios classic Cinderella, inspiring imagination and comfort during what can be an anxious time for kids and their families.
Soon, patients will be able to watch Disney content on a new mobile movie theatre that is being donated to the hospital, the first in Canada. Inspired by the Main Street Theater in Disneyland, the mobile movie theatre aims to create an immersive movie experience for young patients and their families.
Joined by Amir Nasrabadi, Head of Walt Disney Animation Studios Vancouver and Leeann Taylor, Program Director of Sunny Hill, this event was part of Disney’s $100 million commitment to help reimagine the patient experience in children’s hospitals around the world.
“On behalf of all our Walt Disney Animation Studios Vancouver artists, technologists and employees, we are proud to be part of this special day at BC Children’s Hospital,” shared Nasrabadi. “We look forward to the joy and wonder the new mobile movie theatre will bring to the children and families of our community who are served by Sunny Hill Health Centre.”
“At Starlight Canada, we know that creating positive experiences in hospital is an integral part of helping seriously ill children cope through the anxieties and procedures that they endure,” shared Brian Bringolf, Chief Executive Officer of Starlight Canada. “Thanks to the incredible support of Disney, we know that today offered a break and a moment of joy for these families who may be going through some of the toughest times of their lives. We’re honoured to have been part of it.”
When the newly restored 4K version of Cinderella becomes available on Disney+ August 25, Starlight Canada’s health-care partners will also be able to stream the movie for their pediatric patients through complimentary Disney+ access provided to the Child Life teams at the hospitals. The complimentary access to new Disney content brings familiar characters and stories to provide comfort during a hospital stay.